US4235512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retro-reflective assembly and method of manufacturing same
Assignee: Cataphote Inc
•
Filing: 1979-05-07
•
Granted: 1980-11-25
•
Expires: 1999-05-07
Abstract
Abstract In a retro-reflective assembly comprising a base member in whose surface is contained a contiguous layer of exposed retro-reflective elements and a plurality of support elements upstanding from said base member, this invention contemplates forming such support elements from viscous adhesive material and applying the adhesive material in a precise pattern to the base member by utilization of screen printing techniques. The encapsulating transparent film may then be applied to the sub-assembly by adhesive engagement with the top surfaces of the adhesive supports, eliminating the need for the application of substantial heat and pressure heretofore required.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven H. Brasfield
- 👤 Paul Shalita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a process for forming an encapsulated retro-reflective assembly having a supporting open network disposed between a base member adapted to contain retro-reflective elements and an overlying encapsulating film, the improvement of forming said supporting open network in the absence of substantial heat or pressure, said process comprising printing an adhesive material onto said base member to form a plurality of upstanding supports thereon, said supports constituting a precise pattern of at least equal height throughout and having a greater height than such retro-reflective elements, and adhering an encapsulating film to said upstanding supports, said film being substantially free of ripple or wave effects due to said precise pattern of said upstanding supports, and said absence of substantial heat or pressure in forming said upstanding supports enabling a wider choice of materials for said supports or encapsulating film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a process for forming an encapsulated retro-reflective assembly having a supporting open network disposed between a base member adapted to contain retro-reflective elements and an overlying encapsulating film, the improvement of forming said supporting open network in the absence of substantial heat or pressure, said process comprising printing an adhesive material onto said base member to form a plurality of upstanding supports thereon, said supports constituting a precise pattern of at least equal height throughout and having a greater height than such retro-reflective elements, and adhering an encapsulating film to said upstanding supports, said film being substantially free of ripple or wave effects due to said precise pattern of said upstanding supports, and said absence of substantial heat or pressure in forming said upstanding supports enabling a wider choice of materials for said supports or encapsulating film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 in which said encapsulating film comprises a resinous material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 in which said adhesive material forming said upstanding supports comprises a resinous material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 in which said printing is screen printing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 in which said retro-reflective elements are beads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for forming an encapsulated retro-reflective assembly having a supporting open network disposed between a base member, adapted to contain retro-reflective elements, and an overlying encapsulated film, and containing an improved supporting network, said process comprising: (a) screen printing a resinous material in the absence of substantial heat or pressure onto a base member having retro-reflective elements, (b) forming by said screen printing from said material a self-sustaining network configuration of interconnected supports, said supports having a relatively high degree of uniformity in width, location, and height due to said screen printing application and having a height greater than said retro-reflective elements, and (c) applying and adhering an encapsulating film to said network configuration in the absence of sufficient heat or pressure to cause any deformation of said film and thereby maintain its planarity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for forming an encapsulated retro-reflective assembly having a supporting open network disposed between a base member, adapted to contain retro-reflective elements, and an overlying encapsulated film, and containing an improved supporting network, said process comprising: (a) screen printing a resinous material in the absence of substantial heat or pressure onto a base member having retro-reflective elements, (b) forming by said screen printing from said material a self-sustaining network configuration of interconnected supports, said supports having a relatively high degree of uniformity in width, location, and height due to said screen printing application and having a height greater than said retro-reflective elements, and (c) applying and adhering an encapsulating film to said network configuration in the absence of sufficient heat or pressure to cause any deformation of said film and thereby maintain its planarity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
An encapsulated retro-reflective assembly comprising a base member having retro-reflective elements, a precisely formed, supporting open network printed on said base member defining a plurality of upstanding supports having a height greater than said retro-reflective elements, and an encapsulating film adhered to said upstanding supports being substantially plane and free of ripples and the like due to said precise printed formation of said upstanding supports, whereby due to the absence of substantial heat or pressure in the formation of the assembly, said upstanding supports or encapsulating film can include a wider variety of materials than formerly possible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
An encapsulated retro-reflective assembly comprising a base member having retro-reflective elements, a precisely formed, supporting open network printed on said base member defining a plurality of upstanding supports having a height greater than said retro-reflective elements, and an encapsulating film adhered to said upstanding supports being substantially plane and free of ripples and the like due to said precise printed formation of said upstanding supports, whereby due to the absence of substantial heat or pressure in the formation of the assembly, said upstanding supports or encapsulating film can include a wider variety of materials than formerly possible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The encapsulated retro-reflective assembly of claim 7 in which said upstanding supports and encapsulating film comprise a resinous material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2948191A
Cited
US3190178A
Cited
US3154872A
Cited
US3877786A
Cited
US3975083A
Cited
US4025159A
Cited
US4123140A
Cited
US8635194B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |